AUBURN -- Trovon Reed thought about how the Tigers' game against New Mexico State on Saturday was Homecoming.

And he started missing former teammate Ladarious Phillips, who was murdered during the University Heights tragedy earlier this year. That's when Reed decided that Saturday would be an ideal time to commemorate his fallen friend by swapping the No. 1 jersey he'd worn his entire life and switch to Phillips' 37.

Reed maximized the moment by scoring his first career touchdown Saturday.

"Everything I do was for him today," Reed said. "The whole week, the whole team had been telling me: If you're going to wear that number, represent it like 'DaDa' would' So, when I caught it and I saw the pylon, I was determined to get in there no matter what."

Reed's touchdown came on a simple 'jerk' route that pitted him against a linebacker in man coverage. The sophomore easily pulled away from his defender and navigated around several blocked defenders as he approached the end zone.

"It meant so much to me," Reed said.

He's planning to continue wearing the No. 37 jersey.

HALLOWED GROUND:Jay Prosch typically spends his time helping teammates gain glory, but the junior fullback had a chance to bask in the glow of adulation Saturday.

He scored the first touchdown of his college career on a short run soon after halftime. He covered the final three of an 80-yard drive that yielded the Tigers a 14-0 lead.